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University at Buffalo (UB)
Undergraduate Education
UB Curriculum
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UB Curriculum Policy

View UB Curriculum policies in the Undergraduate Catalog by going to the home page of the Degree & Course Catalog and then clicking the Undergraduate Catalog button and then clicking the UB Curriculum (General Education) link in the left sidebar navigation.

UB Seminars

The entryway to a student's UB education. This course is a discussion-based seminar designed around big ideas and grand challenges.

Course Proposal Process

The UB Seminar committee reviews syllabi on rolling basis for new UB Seminar topics.  Once the topic is approved, it is added to the Undergraduate Catalog and will be available to a department scheduler to select upon scheduling the section. Typical turn-around time is 2-4 weeks.

The UB Seminar teaches new students foundational skills for college success through disciplinary knowledge and tools. It explores the academic expectations pertaining to being a student at UB and to higher learning at a research university. The seminar emphasizes the critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and reflective discussion essential for civic discourse.

UB Seminar 198 - 1 credit

Having completed a one-credit UB Seminar (198), you will be able to:

  • Describe the unique character of higher learning in a university, such as deep domain knowledge, the role of research, and the value of experiential learning.
  • Articulate the components of the UB general education program and the integration of multiple disciplines.
  • Understand the requirements for your chosen major or field of study and explore the professions most commonly associated with that major or field.
  • Understand the necessity for writing/communication in university and professional settings.
  • Develop essential study skills, such as time management.
  • Recognize and debate ethical issues and academic integrity in a variety of settings.

UB Seminar 199 - 3 credits

Having completed a three-credit UB Seminar (199), you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate critical thinking using multiple modes of inquiry and expression.
  • Understand and apply methods of analysis, synthesis, and critical reading.
  • Cultivate effective research and study habits, including note-taking and time management, through engagement with course content.
  • Identify and analyze important disciplinary debates and engage in deliberative discourse.
  • Recognize and engage with ethical issues pertaining to the subject matter.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of academic integrity.

The UB Seminars meet SUNY’s Civic Discourse requirements for core competency. All students will demonstrate the discourse skills necessary to participate in civic life, including:

  • the deliberation of ideas through reasoned inquiry that seeks new information and considers multiple points of view; and
  • the ethical practice of advocacy, dissent and dialogue that constructively attends to points of conflict.

Through the UB Seminar learning outcomes students prepare/develop in the following National Association of Colleges and Employers'  (NACE) competencies:

  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
  • Oral/Written Communications
  • Professionalism/Work Ethic
  • Career Management
  • Digital Technology

UB Seminar 198 - 1 credit

Students spanning any/all majors who fit the following criteria: 

  • Transfer students

 

UB Seminar 199 - 3 credits

Students spanning any/all majors who fit the following criteria: 

  • First year students

 

Review UBS Course Development Resources webpage. 

UB Seminar proposals and revisions will be submitted via the curriculum management system. 

You will log in with your UBIT name and password. Then click the "New Proposal" button and navigate to the form "UB Seminar 198/199 New Topic Proposal".

For questions, contact vpue@buffalo.edu.

Submit: UB Seminar Course
Have a question about UB Seminars?

Contact the UB Seminar Sub-Committee Chair.